WWW.USDOJ.GOV

STATEMENT BY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELEANOR ACHESON

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Senate today voted to confirm two of President Clinton's nominees to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Richard Paez of the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles was first nominated four years ago. Marsha Berzon, a San Francisco attorney, was first nominated two years ago.

In response to today's vote, Assistant Attorney General Eleanor D. Acheson issued the following statement:

"Today's bipartisan votes show the Senate's ability to consider judicial nominations on the merits of the individual candidates. By voting for Judge Paez and Marsha Berzon, the Senate has chosen to send two outstanding individuals of diverse backgrounds to the federal bench. We are grateful to Majority Leader Lott, Minority Leader Daschle, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Leahy for their leadership with respect to these votes.

"With these votes behind us, we are looking forward to working with the Senate to fill the remaining 74 vacancies in the federal courts and to preserve the quality of justice that has been associated with the federal judiciary."

# # #

00-115